Urban Forestry Worker I/II

Make 2027 the year you launch your career with the City of Salinas Urban Forestry Division!

Do you enjoy working outdoors, keeping your community safe, and being part of a dedicated, hardworking team? If so, we encourage you to apply! We’re looking for motivated individuals with forestry experience at both the entry-level and journey-level to join our team and help keep Salinas a safe, healthy, and beautiful place to live.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All applicants must provide proof of the required education and certification at the time of application or submit to the Human Resources Department. Applicants with foreign degrees/transcripts must provide U.S. degree equivalency by submitting a credential evaluation report. Applications are incomplete without the required documents and will be disqualified. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all documents are received.
Level I: This is a journey level position in the Urban Forestry class series. Positions in this class may be required to perform the full range of urban forestry work but are distinguished from other positions in the Urban Forestry class series in that they are not expected to climb or lead a crew on a regular basis.  The primary assignment of this position is that of ground support to forestry activities and the operation and maintenance of the equipment required to carry out ground level pruning, chipping and maintenance tasks.

Level II: This is the journey level in the Urban Forestry class series.  Positions in this class perform the full range of urban forestry work and can be distinguished from the Senior Urban Forestry position in that the position is not expected to lead a crew on a regular basis.

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Level I: Receives general supervision from the Maintenance Manager or designee.  Primary supervision provided by the Urban Forestry Crew Supervisor.  Lead supervision may be provided by a Senior Urban Forestry Worker. Prune trees and shrubbery at ground level using prescribed methods.

Level II: Receives supervision from the Maintenance Manager or designee. May perform as a lead as directed.

1. To provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, signs, and lights and as necessary to ensure continued health of trees and shrubs.
2. Remove fallen trees, dead limbs, stumps and other debris during the course of a regular working day as well as on an emergency call out basis.
3. Clean, maintain and repair Forestry Section equipment and tools.
4. Work both independently and as a crew member in all aspects of urban forestry related work.
5. Plant, stake and apply pesticides to trees.
6. Operate chipper, aerial lift, stump grinders, chain saws, drive trucks and operate other related forestry equipment.
7. Irrigate, weed, prune and fertilize trees and shrubs.
8. Perform general landscape maintenance work when not assigned to tree pruning duties.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.

Click here to view complete job description Urban Forestry Worker I

In addition to the duties listed above, Level II:  

1. Demonstrates experience to maintain trees and keep them in good condition.
2. Ensures the aesthetic beauty and functionality of the City and its public spaces. Works on a daily basis and in emergency situations.
3. Performs regular safety inspections on climbing and trimming equipment; works as a crew leader and a crew member.
4. Ensures proper placement in accordance with plans and specifications; performs skilled pest control and tree care work.
5. Responds to and resolves citizen inquiries and complaints; ensures timely work, appropriate actions, and issue resolution; performs general and specialized forestry and landscape work as necessary.

Click here to view complete job description Urban Forestry Worker IIKnowledge of:

• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in all aspects of urban forestry operations.
• Methods, materials, equipment and tools used in general landscape maintenance operations.
• Tree diseases, pests and proper materials and methods for their eradication.
• Safe and efficient work practices relating to urban forestry duties.
• Semi-skilled and skilled tree pruning and maintenance work.
• Effective use of forestry tools and equipment and ability to safely check and report any defects.

Ability to: 

• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Work cooperatively as a crewmember.
• Assist in the training and supervision of less experienced personnel.
• To understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform a variety of general landscape maintenance duties.
• Competently prune trees.
• Effectively operate and maintain vehicles, equipment and tools.
• Use forestry equipment and tools.
• Safely and effectively prepare and apply pesticides and herbicides as trained and authorized.

In addition to the knowledge listed above, Level II:

• International Society of Arboriculture and Cal/OSHA climbing requirements
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the trimming and removal of trees
• Tree planting and maintenance methods  
• Tree diseases and pests and proper methods of their eradication
• Safe work practices and service techniques within customer service needs
• Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in general park maintenance work

 Skill in:

• Working independently in the absence of supervision
• Providing general training for less experienced personnel
• Using hand and power tools skillfully and safely
• Safely applying pesticides and herbicides
• Competently trimming and pruning trees and shrubs
• Studying and resolving citizen inquiries and complaints 
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others

Level I:
Education: 
High School Diploma/GED. (Must include proof of education.)
Experience: 
Any combination equivalent to one year of full-time urban forestry experience.
Licenses and Certifications: 
Possess a valid California Driver’s License.
Possession of valid California “Class B” Driver's License, valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) and American Red Cross issued Basic First Aid cards within six (6) months of appointment.

Level II:
Education: High School Diploma/GED. (Must include proof of education.)
Experience: Two years of skilled urban forestry experience, one year of which is as a lead tree trimmer (tree climbing).
Licenses and Certifications: A valid Class C Driver’s License. Obtain a valid State of California Class B Driver’s License with required endorsement(s) as needed and valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) and American Red Cross issued Basic First Aid cards within six (6) months of appointment.Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read fine printed materials on labels, Material Safety Data Sheets, manuals, maps, diagrams, to work with color-coded wires with no color deficiencies; hearing sufficient to conduct in person, radio and telephone conversations occasionally over the noise of operating equipment; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead; physical mobility sufficient to move about uneven terrain of a park or un-landscaped terrain; physical strength to lift from the floor up to 60 lbs and up to 90 pounds with assistance; physical stamina sufficient to sit or walk for prolonged periods of time and persevere long periods of exposure to pollen and grass - no severe allergic reactions to dust or pollen; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions. 

Working Conditions:  Perform heavy manual labor for periods up to but not limited to 8 hours. Stand and work alone on aerial lifts while pruning trees at elevations up to fifty feet above ground.  Be available for emergency call out response for forestry activities. Work outdoors under adverse conditions such as night, in heavy traffic, in heat, wind, cold and rain.   Work in environments with very loud equipment noise levels.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. For questions on this recruitment, contact Isabel Yzquierdo [email protected], or (831) 758-7232.